In the end, the Trump shrinking political core is wining out over hundreds of business leaders and many thousands of other U.S. leaders and citizens who urge preservation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Even Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Orin Hatch.
DACA is now reportedly on an extended death watch as Trump plans to give Congress a six-month action window before enforcement. In the meantime, “Dreamers”, their families, and friends — and employers –will suffer with deep uncertainty.
With this pending action, Trump will sentence some 800,000 of Trump-described “incredible kids” to possible deportation. The six-month palliative in implementation puts DACA on life support and, with it, puts the future success and safety of the “Dreamers” in great jeopardy.
Reaction — condemnation — is already rampant across the country. Consider a sampling of viewpoints from business leaders ignored by the president:
Steve Case, CEO of America Online, tweeted: “I hope this turns out to be #FakeNews. Ending DACA would be big mistake. Trump should focus on building bridges, not exit ramps.”
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO – “[Dreamers] understand the opportunities they have and want nothing more than the chance to serve their country and community. And ‘Dreamers’ deserve that chance.” Tech execs urge Trump to protect Dreamers
Microsoft chief legal officer Brad Smith, in a blog: ‘We are deeply concerned by news reports about changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that are under consideration. These changes would not only negatively impact thousands of hardworking people across the United States, but will be a step backwards for our entire nation.”
Microsoft urges Trump to keep DACA .
An open letter from many of the nation’s largest technology companies supporting the “Dreamers” stated, “With them, we grow and create jobs. They are part of why we will continue to a have a global competitive advantage.”
Coming in the wake of last month’s collapse of several of the President’s business advisory councils, his reported new “‘Dreamers” policy represents further separation from the interests of many “natural” corporate supporters. It suggests that he is prepared to pay that political price in order to shore up his shrinking core base of supporteres by fulfilling an ugly campaign promise.
Of course, the outcry resisting the report of the new “Dreamers” policy is far from limited to the American tech industry.
Their message sounds like the voice of America:
“We are ready to defend you … to preserve the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and protect undocumented immigrant youth. We also encourage President Trump and Republicans and Democrats in Congress to
enact legislation that replaces fear and uncertainty with permanent protection for Dreamers.”
Whatever the outcome of this latest Trump-generated social turmoil, that voice will ultimately prevail.
A barrage of protest — including street demonstrations — is expected if the decision is formalized.
